Thailand elects Anutin Charnvirakul as new prime minister

"The government coalition is ready to perform its duty in the legislature and executive smoothly to bring prosperity to the country. We'll quickly form a Cabinet and give a policy statement to solve the problems of the country."

"Anutin, a sage political operator, deftly positioned his party between larger rival elites battling for control of the nation first, bringing down the former government by withdrawing from the ruling coalition, and then winning the ensuing February general election."

"Anutin's Bhumjaithai party decisively won the February vote on a nationalist, pro-military, pro-monarchy platform with political instability and the growing border conflict with Cambodia fueling the party's strong performance."

Thailand's parliament elected Anutin Charnvirakul as the new prime minister with 293 votes, exceeding the 249-vote majority requirement. Anutin, a skilled political strategist, maneuvered his Bhumjaithai party to victory by withdrawing from the ruling coalition to bring down the former government, then winning the February general election on a nationalist, pro-military, pro-monarchy platform. His party benefited from political instability and border tensions with Cambodia. Anutin assembled an unlikely coalition of small parties controlling 292 parliamentary seats. He pledged to quickly form a Cabinet and implement policies addressing national problems. The reformist People's Party now leads the opposition, with some members facing potential political bans over royal insult law reform attempts.

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